This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For January 20-21

Art, Culture, And Fun In The City

It's getting colder and colder in Tokyo, but don't let that stop you from going out and exploring the city. A lot is happening this week: think a major organic festival, a massive matsuri gathering, a hot pot celebration, a rice cake event at a cultural heritage site, three unique exhibitions exploring the delicate details of art, and so much more. Stay warm and have fun!

Experience Japan In One Day

Furusato Matsuri Tokyo 2017

Visiting all of Japan's 47 prefectures is a time (and cash)-consuming experience, but luckily a few people got together and came up with a single festival that brings the best of the best all the way from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Come and explore traditional Japanese performances, regional matsuri recreations, local specialties and more from all around Japan. One of the largest cultural events of the year, this one is a real gem.

Hot Pot Date

Nabe Hut 2017

Surrounding a hot pot with your family and friends in the beautiful city of Yokohama is a perfect way to warm up the stone cold weekend. This nabe hut event can be enjoyed in two ways: one by making your own special nabe by choosing among the all-time favorite ingredients and broth, and another by leaving it up to the pros and taste the best of Japan's regional nabe pots. To spice up the event, a strolling guitarist will be going around singing songs per request so get there with a favorite tune ready in mind!

Tokyo Riddles

Tokyo Metro: The Underground Mysteries

If you're looking for an adventurous time with your partners, family or even colleagues, this game is a must-try. The Underground Mysteries is a joint project by Tokyo Metro and puzzle event creator Scrap that will have you scratch your head as you explore some of Tokyo's best locations. Your goal? Solve the final question on the puzzle guidebook included in the game kit to officially call yourself Japan's Sherlock Holmes.

Date

NOW THROUGH WED, JAN. 31, 2018

Time

GAME KITS SOLD FROM 7:40 A.M. TO 8 P.M.

Location

AROUND TOKYO METRO STATIONS. BUY GAME KITS AT TOKYO METRO PASS OFFICE AT UENO STATION OR SHINJUKU STATION. (KITS ARE SOLD AT SHINJUKU STATION ONLY ON WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.)

Going Natural

Earth Garden Winter 2018

Earth garden is a community festival held every season to remind us of the importance to keep the earth clean and promote eco-friendly way of living. Expect pleasant outdoor live shows in addition to a grand market selling organic food and products.

Opera From Vienna

Opera: New National Theater 20th Anniversary Production Die Fledermaus

New National Theater invites everyone to the world of the opera master Johann Strauss II. Lead producer and renowned tenor at the prestigious Vienna State Opera, Heinz Zednik, presents a unique musical performance covering opera, waltz, polka, light, refined satire, and humor. The breathtaking Art Deco-themed setting and costumes will surely spice up the production, making it even more memorable.

Taking A Closer Look

A photographer first coming to light in the ‘80s before moving to London for i-D magazine, Takashi Homma frames gas stations, sweets, and other objects and sceneries in our everyday lives, inviting us to take a closer look in what we usually fail to notice. The title of his latest project, Twenty-six Gasoline Stations, refers to a series by Ed Ruscha and suggests the intention of the book to serve as an homage to the legendary lensman.

Cultural Exchange

Tokyo International Friends Nihongo Meetup

If you’re looking for an opportunity to make new friends and brush up your Japanese skills, you've found the perfect event. Tokyo International Friends is a Tokyo-based event community promoting Japanese culture to the world and encouraging international exchange. This event is open for all levels of Japanese, so hurry your reservations and click that "going" button on Facebook!

Life In Painting

Exhibition: Kumagai Morikazu: The Joy of Life

While he may not be widely known outside of Japan, Kumagai Morikazu is a prominent Japanese artist who in his lifetime experimented with various form and style. Kumagai covers a wide range of approaches, from realistic to nearly scientific use of figures in different shades. This exhibition celebrates Kumagai’s 97-year-long life through his most memorable works covering everyday scenes from his life.

Date

NOW THROUGH WED, MAR. 21, 2018

Time

10 A.M.-5 P.M. (UNTIL 8 P.M. ON FRI AND SAT, CLOSED ON MONDAYS)

Location

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MODERN ART TOKYO, 3-1 KITA-NO-MARU KOEN, CHIYODA-ku, TOKYO

Local Traditions

Mochi-making Party

Three weeks may have passed since we welcomed 2018, but it's never too late to celebrate the new year in style. Come down this weekend to a prestigious, 100-year-old traditional inn registered as a cultural heritage to make and taste the freshly pounded mochi. You can also experience Japanese calligraphy for free and dress up in a kimono.

Beauty Trip

Cosme Tokyo

Japan is arguably one of the prominent cosmetic capitals of the world, so you know Cosme Tokyo, Japan's biggest cosmetics exhibition, is going to be huge. Drawing brands and specialists from all over the world, this beauty industry juggernaut is open to consumers and businesses alike. To find the hottest insider tips, newest trends, and world firsts (and a bag full of samples), book your ticket online now.